Ulster pair looking good to challenge for a top-two place
DUBLIN
Manager: Jim Gavin (6th season)
Star man: James McCarthy – His relocation to midfield last year reaffirmed his status as one of the most complete footballers in the game.
One to watch: Brian Howard – Could become an option to partner his club-mate Brian Fenton in the middle, but more likely to challenge for a place in the half-forward line.
Odds: To win League 5/6; relegation 25/1
Prediction: To recover from slow start and win final
Fixtures: Kildare (h), Tyrone (a), Donegal (h), Mayo (a), Kerry (h), Galway (a), Monaghan (h)
KILDARE
Manager: Cian O’Neill (3rd season)
Star man: Daniel Flynn – A rare talent who provides the attack with the focal point for which they have been craving.
One to watch: Eanna O’Connor – The former Kerry underage player is a sublime kicker but he has to show that he has the pace to move up a level.
Odds: To win League 28/1; relegated 8/11.
Prediction: It will all boil down to last round winners take all game against Galway to survive, which they will
Fixtures: Dublin (a), Monaghan (h), Tyrone (h), Donegal (a), Mayo (h), Kerry (a), Galway (h)
KERRY
Manager: Éamonn Fitzmaurice (6th season) Star man: Paul Geaney – Most consistent inside forward in the game.
One to watch David Clifford – The hype is merited but this represents a huge step-up.
Odds: to win League 7/2; relegated 9/1.
Prediction: They will be light on consistency and heavy on transition.
Fixtures: Donegal (h), Mayo (a), Monaghan (a), Galway (h), Dublin (a), Kildare (h), Tyrone (a)
DONEGAL
Manager: Declan Bonner (1st season)
Star man: Paddy McBrearty – Has thrived with the responsibility of leading the inside line.
One to watch: Nathan Mullins – Will be interesting to see how his current good form holds when pitches quicken.
Odds: to win League 12/1; relegated 15/8
Prediction: With their big guns back, they will finish the spring strong.
Fixtures: Kerry (a), Galway (h), Dublin (a), Kildare (h), Tyrone (a), Monaghan (a), Mayo (h)
MONAGHAN
Manager: Malachy O’Rourke (6th season)
Star man: Conor McManus – When he breaks free, he always reminds us why he is such a celebrated talent.
One to watch: David Garland – Earned a reputation at underage level for being a clinical finisher.
Odds: To win League 12/1; relegated 15/8
Prediction: They have defied critics to stay in the top tier for so long but this is the season it all catches up.
Fixtures: Mayo (h), Kildare (a), Kerry (h), Tyrone (h), Galway (a), Donegal (h), Dublin (a)
MAYO
Manager: Stephen Rochford (3rd season)
Star man: Tom Parsons – His ball-winning ability and link play is critical to how they play.
One to watch: Eoin O’Donoghue – Missing three All-Star defenders, the door has opened wide for him to stake a claim at corner-back.
Odds: To win League 15/2; relegated: 11/4
Prediction: It will be the usual struggle inviting talk of relegation, but when they need to they will pull out the results.
Fixtures: Monaghan (a), Kerry (h), Galway (a), Dublin (h), Kildare (a), Tyrone (h), Donegal (a)
GALWAY
Manager: Kevin Walsh (4th season)
Star man: Damien Comer – Provides badly needed leadership and is a handful to mark.
One to watch: Sean Andy Ó Ceallaigh – His handling of Dublin’s Con O’Callaghan in last year’s under-21 final looks all the more impressive now.
Odds: To win League 25/1; Relegated: evens
Prediction: Their enthusiasm will impress early on but will eventually be worn down.
Fixtures: Tyrone (h), Donegal (a), Mayo (h), Kerry (a), Monaghan (h), Dublin (h), Kildare (a)
TYRONE
Manager: Mickey Harte (16th season)
Star man: Mattie Donnelly – A class act but perhaps a run at centre-back might suit and would fit perfectly with his skill-set.
One to watch: Conor McAliskey – Missed season when he ruptured his cruciate pre-season and Tyrone’s need to find some cutting edge in the attack is clear.
Odds: To win League 15/2; relegated: 15/8
Prediction: Their attitude and conditioning will give them a jump start before they get a reality check in the final.
Fixtures: Galway (a), Dublin (h), Kildare (a), Monaghan (a), Donegal (h), Mayo (a) Kerry (h)